Proclamation 9557-Wright Brothers Day, 2016
Issued 2016-12-16 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued a proclamation designating December 17, 2016, as Wright Brothers Day. This annual observance honors Orville and Wilbur Wright, who on December 17, 1903, successfully flew the world's first powered aircraft near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The proclamation invites Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
This proclamation affects all Americans by recognizing a day to celebrate the Wright brothers' achievement and the broader spirit of American innovation. The proclamation also calls attention to the importance of making science, technology, engineering, and math education and careers available to all young Americans, regardless of their race, gender, or circumstances.
This matters because it's part of a long tradition of presidential proclamations that bring national attention to important figures and values. Congress authorized this specific observance in 1963, requesting that the President issue an annual proclamation for Wright Brothers Day. The proclamation carries no legal obligations—it simply expresses the President's sentiment on behalf of the nation and encourages public reflection on innovation and scientific discovery.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation designates "Proclamation 9557-Wright Brothers Day, 2016" — a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to wright brothers. Presidents have issued ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they fall squarely within the executive tradition. They do not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens.
Ceremonial proclamations like this one are purely declaratory. They express the sentiment of the President on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to causes or communities. They require no congressional approval and face no constitutional challenges.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Proclamation 9557—Wright Brothers Day, 2016 December 16, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation On December 17, 1903, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio successfully flew the world's first powered aircraft. The plane remained airborne for only 12 seconds, but Orville and Wilbur Wright's innovative legacy has endured for generations—unleashing unparalleled possibilities and forever transforming our way of life. On Wright Brothers Day, we celebrate the determination and ingenuity that drove their pursuit and recommit to shaping the future through our ideas and discoveries. As self-taught mechanics, the Wright brothers devoted years to research and experimentation before taking their talents and creativity to the strong winds above Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where they completed the monumental first flight. Their mother, Susan, spent considerable time in her youth designing and building mechanical appliances; she guided her children whenever she could and always encouraged them to chase their curiosities. As Orville and Wilbur grew, they followed their entrepreneurial instincts, launching a newspaper and later opening a bicycle shop to sell their designs. Their resilience through early fai